Here is a calendar of upcoming events, up and down the country. Some are organized by us, others by like-minded organizations and groups.
CHRISTCHURCH:
“ASK ME ANYTHING” (AMA) SESSION
WITH
RABBI ARIEL TAL
RABBI OF THE WELLINGTON JEWISH COMMUNITY
19 SEPTEMBER 2019
Following the massacres, it’s clear that there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of minorities in our community. With that lack comes uncertainty, anxiety and even fear. Unfortunately we humans often respond with prejudice and intolerance. One of those minorities is the Jewish community and those who adhere to Judaism.
We are honoured to host Rabbi Ariel Tal to join us for an “Ask Me Anything” session where he will take questions from the floor.
Rabbi Ariel Tal is an experienced educator, Rabbi and marketing expert, serving in positions in both North America and Israel. Rabbi Tal has a education degree from Ohalo College in the Golan Heights, Israel, Rabbinical Semicha from Israel Chief Rabbinate, and is a Personal Coach through Da’at U’Tevuna School in Rechovot, Israel. He has taught at the Netivot HaTorah Day School in Toronto, Kibbutz Lavi Primary School and the educational organisation Livnot U’Lehibanot.
With such wide experiences, Ariel is well able to answer questions on Judaism, Jewish life in Israel, the Diaspora and New Zealand.
Ever wondered what Judaism stood for? What it says about the meaning of life? What Judaism says about how the world ends?
A Jewish perspective on the Middle East Conflict and Palestinian Arab relations? What Jews outside of Israel think of the Middle Eastern situation?
What impression New Zealanders have made on Ariel and his family? His thoughts on New Zealand culture and what its like to live in Wellington?
That’s just a few questions you could ask him.
A rare opportunity to publicly quiz a Jewish Rabbi in person.
Where: Sumner Community Centre, 14-16 Wakefield Avenue, Sumner, Christchurch.
When: 7.30pm, Thursday, September 19.
Admission: A plate of finger food. Please avoid pork and seafood products. A collection will be taken to help defray expenses.
Standing together to stand with Israel
We will be joined by Bryce Turner, National Director of CFI.
Bryce led a team to Israel after October 7 to
- Show support to beleaguered Israelis
- Help out wherever they could as they took tradespersons along
- Record and bring back survivors’ stories.
Bryce has been a sought-after public speaker since his return.
ABOUT C4I
Christians for Israel (C4I) is a non-denominational movement. We believe that God is still faithful to all His covenants with, and promises to the nation of Israel.
LATER IN THE MEETING
We will be discussing:
- Latest developments in Israel.
- Anti-Semitism in New Zealand.
- The Refugee Issue and the roles of UNRWA and UNHCR.
- More ideas about what you can do to support Israel.
There’s also a chance to return and find more books from our library.
We’re meeting at the Hao Rm, Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Rd, Christchurch.
Please bring a plate of finger food: No seafood or pork products, thanks.
Dr Sheree Trotter
Indigenous Peoples and the Middle East Conflict
Today, one hears that the Palestinians are an indigenous people that is having their homeland stolen from them by the white settler colonialists, the Jews. Is this true?
The events of October 7 have divided New Zealanders. The connection to indigenous rights has created fault lines for our Maori community.
On Thursday, we are delighted to welcome Dr Sheree Trotter to talk to us about the establishment of the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem and her views on how the Middle East Conflict has impacted her Maori Community.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr Sheree Trotter is a researcher, writer, and co-director of the Indigenous Coalition For Israel. She also co-founded the Holocaust and Antisemitism Foundation, Aotearoa New Zealand (formerly Shadows of Shoah). Sheree is Māori (Te Arawa) and earned her PhD in History at the University of Auckland.
We are gathering at 11.30am behind the Verdict Cafe for prayer, briefing and singing.
Our theme song is
OH DAUGHTERS OF ZION
We will have song sheets available.
At 12 noon we will raise the flags and walk to opposite the Plaza, where we will sing, pray, and declare we are with the Nation of ISRAEL.
Come and stand with us.
CHRISTCHURCH: We’re organizing a group to go and see Golda Meir at the Wigram Silky Otter Theatre at 5pm on Satuday. See you there! Just turn up and buy your ticket. 5pm is the beginning of the session time, so you might like to turn up a little earlier.
Limmud is a cross-communal ‘festival of learning’ which last year attracted over 25000 participants to its events, held across five continents, in almost forty countries. It started in the UK 30 years ago where the annual five-day event now attracts 2,500 people from across the religious spectrum and boasts 350 presenters offering some 900 sessions.
Limmud aims to enable each participant to go one step further on their own Jewish journey. One of the key principles behind what has now become an international cross-communal movement is that we all have something to contribute and can learn from each other. Presenters are treated as part of the community, they are volunteers like those who organise the events and all are rewarded by the opportunity to learn from each other. Becoming Limmud NZ makes us part of an exciting worldwide movement.
Limmud has core principles that we feel reflect our community. The catchphrase behind Limmud is “Every Jew should be a student and everyone can be a teacher”. This seems very much to capture what our organizing committee believes, and we are eager for more local presenters to put themselves forward and to encourage people to volunteer. Even an hour will make a huge difference to the success of the first Limmud conference on 18/19 August. Expanding Jewish horizons, empowering individuals to contribute to their community and enabling connections to be made between individuals and across communities are the values behind Limmud International and behind Limmud NZ. We also love the emphasis on ensuring all participants feel equally respected and comfortable at Limmud, no matter which shul they go to, or don’t go to. All Limmud events will be strictly kosher to enable participants to eat and enjoy together.
Limmud, of course, means learning and it is about learning but not in a formalized way. The great thing about the format is it is “pick and mix”. Each session runs for an hour, and there are five different streams to choose from.You just pick what you want to go to – discussion of an ethical dilemma with local and international experts, an intimate text study, a film discussion, or sessions relating to parenting issues. If you need a break for a session, grab a coffee and schmooze. The only thing we can’t do for you is arrange for you to be at two sessions at once – although some sessions are repeated.
Keep these dates free, more information to come.